Minister of Justice of Kazakhstan Marat Beketayev visits Brussels
BRUSSELS, September 29-30, 2021 – During his working visit to Belgium, Minister of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Marat Beketayev held a number of meetings with the officials of the European Union and Belgium on legal reforms in Kazakhstan and mutual legal support.
On September 29, Minister Beketayev held talks with Eamon Gilmore, the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, as well as the representatives of the European External Action Service.
The parties discussed topical issues of bilateral cooperation at the Subcommittee on Justice and the “Kazakhstan - European Union” Dialogue on Human Rights. EUSR Gilmore commended the increased dynamics of bilateral contacts in the human rights dimension, including the ongoing preparations for the “Central Asia - European Union” Civil Society Forum in Almaty on October 6, 2021, where he plans to participate.
Marat Beketayev spoke about the activities of the Ministry of Justice in terms of implementing the package of political reforms and the legislation on protection of human rights, initiated by the Head of State.
On the same day, Minister met with several members of the European Parliament - First Deputy Chairperson of the Subcommittee on Human Rights Bernard Guetta, Deputy Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee Urmas Paet, Deputy Chairperson of the Delegation for Cooperation with Central Asia Andris Ameriks, Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Internal Markets and Consumer Protection Rosa Thun, Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Petitions Tatiana Zhdanoka, Member of the Kazakhstan-EU Parliamentary delegation Thierry Mariani, etc.
During the meetings, an exchange of views took place on the current reforms in Kazakhstan aimed at modernizing the country’s political system and strengthening democratic institutions. The MEPs expressed support to the ongoing socio-political reforms in Kazakhstan and commended Kazakhstan’s efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people and support the UN institutions.
On Thursday, the Minister met with Sharan Barrow, Secretary-General of the International Trade Union Confederation. The parties discussed the implementation of the recommendations of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the relevant legislative reforms in the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of trade unions. Minister said that the Government of Kazakhstan continues to work on introducing international labour standards into national legislation in order to protect the rights and interests of the parties to labour relations and develop the institution of social partnership. Barrow took note of the efforts undertaken in the framework of the implementation of the ILO recommendations, and the overall work done by Kazakhstan to improve the national legislation in this area. At the same time, she drew attention to the need for more active interaction in the activities of Kazakhstani trade unions and noted the importance of the upcoming visit of the leadership of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Brussels.
On the bilateral track, an exchange of views took place with Belgian officials. During a meeting with the Federal Prosecutor of Belgium Frederic Van Liu, the parties discussed issues of promoting international legal cooperation, providing support in relation to mutual legal assistance between Kazakhstan and Belgium.
With MP, Chairman of the Justice Committee of the Belgian Parliament Christienne Van Warenberg, Minister discussed issues of mutual support in the international arena in order to protect the national interests of the parties, as well as inter-parliamentary cooperation. Minister of Justice elaborated on the political reforms initiated by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, in particular, on the issues of electoral legislation, mandatory quotas for women and youth in the electoral lists of political parties, etc.
Following the meetings, Marat Beketayev spoke to Kazakh and European media on the results of his visit.
Overall, the visit of the Minister of Justice helped to enhance the dialogue with European partners on the issues of international legal interaction and is expected to help to maintain the dynamics of political contacts with the European Union and Belgium.